vegetarian dish

Meaning

A vegetarian dish is a meal that does not contain meat, poultry, fish, or seafood. When traveling, asking for a vegetarian dish is a clear and polite way to communicate dietary preferences or restrictions to restaurant staff. It is a standard and internationally recognized term.

Examples

• Do you have any vegetarian dishes on the menu?

  Do you have any vegetarian dishes on the menu?

• I ordered a delicious vegetarian dish made with lentils and rice.

  I ordered a delicious vegetarian dish made with lentils and rice.

• This restaurant is famous for serving more than one vegetarian dish.

  This restaurant is famous for serving more than one vegetarian dish.

• Is this pasta a vegetarian dish, or does it have meat sauce?

  Is this pasta a vegetarian dish, or does it have meat sauce?

• As a traveler, it is sometimes hard to find a good vegetarian dish.

  As a traveler, it is sometimes hard to find a good vegetarian dish.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I would like a vegetable dish without meat.

  ✓ I would like a vegetarian dish.

  A 'vegetable dish' is just a plate of vegetables (like a side of broccoli). A 'vegetarian dish' is a complete, main meal suitable for vegetarians.

• ✗ Is this food vegetarian?

  ✓ Is this a vegetarian dish?

  While 'Is this food vegetarian?' is acceptable, referring to a specific item as a 'vegetarian dish' is more precise and natural when ordering at a restaurant.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Since I don't eat meat, I always look for a ___ on the menu.

  💡 A meal made without meat or fish.

  Show answer

  vegetarian dish

• Could you recommend a good ___ that doesn't contain chicken?

  💡 A main course suitable for people who do not eat meat.

  Show answer

  vegetarian dish